Nikon Nikkor Z 24-200mm f/4-6.3 VR Assessment

Introduced again in February 2020, the Nikkor Z 24-200mm f/4-6.3 provides Z photographers an 8.3x zoom in a comparatively light-weight and compact package deal. With that in thoughts, it’s ideally positioned as a journey lens, or another state of affairs the place carrying a number of lenses is perhaps unfavourable, reminiscent of for day journeys and so forth.

The focal lengths obtainable make it ideally suited to a various set of topics, together with landscapes on the wide-angle finish, portraits in the course of the vary, and even wildlife and sport at its furthest attain. It’s price noting at this level, that the 24-200mm gives the longest focal size in a lens costing beneath $1000 / £1000 on the time of writing. If you wish to shoot wildlife and sports activities on a finances, this might very nicely be the one for you.

Different choices for this topic embrace the Nikkor Z 100-400mm f/4.5 – 5.6 VR S ($2,699 / £2,599) and the Nikkor Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S ($2,696 / £2,599). These are far superior lenses, however are greater than 2.5x the value of the 24-200mm.

In fact, all of this comes with a compromise, and packing a protracted focal size into a comparatively small package deal signifies that apertures are pretty slender. The widest obtainable is f/4 on the wide-angle finish, and which drops all the way down to f/6.3 on the telephoto finish. Nonetheless, Nikon guarantees which you can nonetheless obtain good bokeh and inventive outcomes with it.

Nikkor Z 24-200mm f/4-6.3 VR mounted on a Nikon Z7 II. Photograph credit score: Amy Davies

The Nikkor 24-200mm lens can be utilized with Nikon’s full-frame Z system cameras, such because the Z7 II, Z6 II or Z5, however it’s additionally probably an excellent pairing for the cheaper and lighter APS-C system cameras just like the Z50 and the Zfc. Utilizing it with these fashions provides you an equal focal size of 36-300mm. It’s additionally attainable to make use of full-frame cameras in crop mode to present the identical equal focal lengths – which might come in useful for topics as wildlife.

That stated, there may be additionally a devoted DX (APS-C) format Z sequence superzoom lens which can be higher fitted to landscapes and different typical wide-angle topics. The Nikon Nikkor 18-140mm f/3.5-6.3 VR has an equal focal size of 27-210mm, making it a lot nearer to utilizing the 24-200mm on a full-frame mannequin.

Nikkor Z 24-200mm f/4-6.3 VR mounted on a Nikon Z7 II with lens hood. Photograph credit score: Amy Davies

On the time of writing, there are not any third-party superzoom lenses at present obtainable immediately for Z mount. That is disappointing contemplating there’s different mirrorless lenses such because the Tamron 28-200mm f/2.8-5.6 in E mount, however sadly Nikon is kind of strict with its licensing for third-party merchandise.

An alternate potential resolution if finances is tight is to go for a DSLR F-mount superzoom and use it with an adapter. For instance, the Tamron 28-300mm Di VC PZD which may be picked up for roughly half the value of the Nikon Z 24-200mm. That stated, having been round for fairly a while, the 24-200mm may be discovered at good costs through second-hand retailers, too.

Nikon Z 24-200mm f/4-6.3 VR Options

The Nikkor 24-200mm lens development consists of 19 parts in 15 teams, to incorporate two ED parts, one aspherical ED aspect and two aspherical parts – between them, these are designed to assist cut back fringing, distortion and aberrations. Components with an ARNEO coat work to cut back ghosting and flare, whereas a fluorine coated entrance lens parts repels grime and water. The lens can also be weather-sealed.

Nikkor Z 24-200mm f/4-6.3 VR, seen from the again. Photograph credit score: Amy Davies

There are seven diaphragm blades for creating out of focus areas, which is extra apparent when taking pictures at lengthy focal lengths. This isn’t designed as a macro lens, however on the mid-to telephoto finish of it, you may need to use it for typical macro-type topics reminiscent of flowers.

The utmost replica ratio is 0.28x and the closest focusing distance (at 24mm) is 0.5m, rising to 0.7m if you’re at 200mm. That is measured from the sensor, so though you possibly can’t get super-close to a topic, in case you shoot at lengthy focal lengths you then’ll be capable of seize frame-filling photographs.

Shut-up of the Nikkor Z 24-200mm f/4-6.3 VR’s zoom mechanism. Photograph credit score: Amy Davies

Stepping motors are used for autofocusing to maintain issues quiet, which ought to make it a sensible choice for video work. The VR within the lens title signifies that vibration discount is included, which once more is sweet information for taking pictures at lengthy focal lengths, and for video work.

Nikon Z 24-200mm f/4-6.3 VR Construct and Dealing with

As you’d anticipate from a lens overlaying such a broad focal size, the 24-200mm isn’t precisely small, however it compacts down pretty nicely for transportation and when within the 24mm setting. You’ll be able to have interaction a lock on the 24mm finish to make sure that it stays packed away whereas in a equipment bag or maybe whereas it’s slung over your shoulder.

Regardless of its dimension, it’s not too heavy, and balances nicely with fashions such because the Z7 II and the Z6 II. It might be an inexpensive stability with smaller APS-C fashions, however as already talked about, these customers are higher serviced by the devoted DX superzoom optic anyway. Should you maybe have each a full-frame and APS-C physique, you may think about using this for each in some unspecified time in the future.

Nikkor Z 24-200mm f/4-6.3 VR mounted on a Nikon Z7 II with lens hood. Photograph credit score: Amy Davies

There’s little to say concerning the outward design, as there are not any switches for switching between AF and MF, nor turning on/off Vibration Discount. You’ll be able to management focusing mode from the digital camera’s “i” menu with cameras such because the Z7 II.

Some our bodies, such because the Z9, have a devoted button, whereas with different our bodies you possibly can customise a button to this perform in case you like. You’ll be able to swap off vibration discount through a menu setting if you want (word, this refers back to the entire system – each in-body and lens). Keep in mind, that typically it’s not vital to change off vibration discount when utilizing tripods, so the dearth of a devoted swap isn’t an excessive amount of of an annoyance.

Nikkor Z 24-200mm f/4-6.3 VR mounted on a Nikon Z7 II. Photograph credit score: Amy Davies

A small ring on the base of the lens may be set to manage a couple of capabilities, together with aperture, publicity compensation, and handbook focus. You can even set it to manage completely nothing in case you discover it to be one thing you by accident knock, for instance.

Many of the bulk of the lens is taken up by the zoom mechanism, which is marked in focal lengths of 24, 35, 50, 70, 105, 135 and 200mm. The mechanism strikes simply slowly sufficient to make exact changes simple, and having the markings allows fast leaping between widespread focal lengths.

The lens can be utilized with 67mm filters, whereas a small lens hood is included which may be reversed when transporting the lens to maintain dimension down.

Nikon Z 24-200mm f/4-6.3 VR Autofocus

On the entire, the stepping motors do an excellent job of maintaining autofocusing fast and quiet, so it’s completely believable that you simply may need to use this lens for video work. The truth is, it’d make an excellent all rounder lens for journey vloggers who need to seize all kinds of scenes however don’t need to be weighed down with a lot of totally different lenses.

Nikkor Z 24-200mm f/4-6.3 VR mounted on Nikon Z7 II, 1/500 sec at f/6.3, ISO 100. Right here we are able to see some pleasing out-of-focus areas. Photograph credit score: Amy Davies

Moreover, more often than not, the lens locks on to the required topic precisely and rapidly, particularly so for an all-rounder lens. It could generally wrestle slightly in very low mild conditions, or when transferring rapidly between a really shut topic and a distant topic, however not a lot as to trigger difficulties in most cases.

Nikon Z 24-200mm f/4-6.3 VR Picture High quality

We wouldn’t anticipate a superzoom journey lens like this to supply unparalleled sharpness in the identical league as costlier and prime optics. Nonetheless, it produces photos with an general excellent impression of sharpness when viewing at regular printing and viewing sizes.

The softest outcomes may be seen on the furthest attain of the telephoto, however it’s solely actually in case you look at carefully in effective element that you simply’ll discover an excessive amount of of an issue generally. This looks like a good compromise for the flexibility supplied by the optic.

Nikkor Z 24-200mm f/4-6.3 VR mounted on Nikon Z7 II, 1/40 sec at f/4.5, ISO 100 Photograph credit score: Amy Davies

Regardless of the comparatively slender aperture throughout the zoom vary, you possibly can nonetheless create some enticing shallow depth of subject results, significantly when taking pictures on the additional reaches of the lens. Drop off in focus within reason pure and a pleasant softness is created.

Distortion doesn’t appear to be an issue all through the lens vary, with the broader angles dealt with nicely by in-camera correction. Vignetting may be seen when taking pictures in some circumstances at f/4 on the widest level of the lens – this isn’t essentially unattractive however in case you don’t prefer it, it may be simply eliminated in post-production, or vignetting discount may be elevated in digital camera.

Nikkor Z 24-200mm f/4-6.3 VR mounted on Nikon Z7 II, 1/320 sec at f/6.3, ISO 100. Photograph credit score: Amy Davies

Chromatic aberrations don’t seem like a problem, even when taking pictures in pretty excessive distinction conditions and actively zooming into the scene to attempt to discover them.

General, though this isn’t a lens which you’ll depend on for very good sharpness, for a journey zoom, it places in an amazing efficiency.

Nikon Z 24-200mm f/4-6.3 VR Verdict

There are occasions in life when carrying round a spread of various lenses on your system digital camera is a ache. Whereas on vacation or day journeys, for instance. A lens just like the 24-200mm is excellent for these events if you need to be sure you can {photograph} a little bit of the whole lot, however your main concern is just not tremendous excessive picture high quality.

Nikkor Z 24-200mm f/4-6.3 VR mounted on Nikon Z7 II, 1/200 sec at f/6.3, ISO 640. This lens is a probably enticing choice for wildlife photographers on a strict finances. Photograph credit score: Amy Davies

That’s to not say that the lens produces unhealthy photos – removed from it – however with one thing like this there’ll all the time be a compromise. Having a comparatively slender aperture signifies that low mild taking pictures for instance is perhaps an issue, however which may not be a problem in case you’re primarily taking pictures in good mild.

It’s additionally arguably price having a lens in your equipment that you should use to cowl off particular topics that you simply may not have already got one thing helpful for – reminiscent of a protracted focal size for instance – significantly in case you don’t shoot sure topics all that steadily, or, within the case of wildlife and sport, merely can’t afford the eye-watering worth tags of different lengthy focal size lenses in Nikon’s Z vary.

Nikkor Z 24-200mm f/4-6.3 VR mounted on Nikon Z7 II, 1/200 sec at f/6.3, ISO 100. Photograph credit score: Amy Davies

At simply shy of $1000 / £1000 (retail worth), the 24-200mm lens isn’t “low-cost”. Nonetheless, because it’s been out for a couple of years, road costs are slightly decrease and there’s loads of alternative to choose it up second hand, the place “like new” fashions may be discovered for nearer to $700 / £700. For the comfort and flexibility it provides you – particularly if it takes the place of two, three or extra different lenses – it could possibly be thought of nicely well worth the cash.

We’d prefer to see third-party producers capable of create superzoom lenses for Z sequence, as again within the DSLR days, they typically did this very nicely and for higher costs than proprietary optics, however for now at the least, this Nikon providing is an efficient funding for many who need a stable all-rounder.

Nikkor Z 24-200mm f/4-6.3 VR mounted on Nikon Z7 II, 1/320 sec at f/6, ISO 100. Photograph credit score: Amy Davies

Nikkor Z 24-200mm f/4-6.3 VR mounted on Nikon Z7 II, 1/2000 sec at f/4, ISO 100. Some vignetting may be seen right here. Photograph credit score: Amy Davies

Nikkor Z 24-200mm f/4-6.3 VR mounted on Nikon Z7 II, 1/200 sec at f/5.6, ISO 100. Photograph credit score: Amy Davies

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